Japanese scientist building life size Gundam robot complete with cockpit

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Fans of the popular anime series “Gundam” are starting special bank accounts today after hearing that a Japanese scientist has set a goal of creating a life-sized replica of one of the fabled mobile suits from the show. Since 2002, Hajime Sakamoto has been working to build humanoid robots as president of the Hajime Research Institute. His plan is to make a 1 to 1 replica, complete with a cockpit for the pilot to control the machine. Meaning he wants to create a working Gundam mobile suit, differentiating it from the 1-to-1 scale statue that already stands in Japan today. We wonder if he is going to arm the thing with some ballistic missiles or vulcan machine guns.

Sakamoto has had some experience in building large robots before, in 2009 he completed work on a seven-foot humanoid robot which made it one of the tallest in the world. While that is an impressive feat, a Gundam suit stands 59 feet in the air, just a tad under six stories. Building one that will be able to move its arms and legs as well as walk under its own power is certainly daunting.

Currently Sakamoto is working with his team on construction of a thirteen foot version of his robot dream. The theory is that if the group can take the experience gleaned from developing the smaller creations, they will be better prepared to build the 1-to-1 Gundam suit.

If you want to get involved with the project, the team is looking for sponsors to fund development, or you can become a fan on the Institute’s Facebook page. You can watch a video of one of Sakamoto’s robots in action below.